Are you searching for a nearby restaurant that has the best, authentic Latin American food recipes and one the entire family will enjoy? At El Golfo Restaurant in Silver Spring, MD, we serve up Enchiladas, Tamales, Fajitas Nortenas, Chimichanga, Pupupas and many other delicious Latin entrée platters. We use only the finest ingredients in all our food recipe dishes. Browse through our online menu for your favorite Mexican foods like Carne Asada, Masitas de Puerco, Pato en Olivas and many other sumptuous, perfectly-spiced foods. Wash it down with our well-known and loved Margaritas for some extra cheer. Redeem our discount coupons and save on your next Latin American meal.

"I couldn't sleep at night, thinking how could we give back?" she said. "How could we reach out to our community? And that's the idea that came to mind." News of the opportunity went viral, with non-profits, schools, and churches calling to book fundraising nights. "In the beginning, we were losing money," said Villatoro. "But I thought if we keep doing this, it's going to be worth it." Many fundraiser patrons became regular customers, she said.

Jumping with art

"Jump Start with the Arts" is the latest fundraiser that Silver Spring Day School is involved with at El Golfo, presented in partnership with arts outreach non-profit, Class Act Arts. A monthly music series geared towards pre-school children, the first season's success has led to plans for a second, to launch in September, said Busy Graham, founder of Class Act Arts. At "Jump Start" events, El Golfo donates 20% of food and drink sales to the organizations. A $5 entry charge grants adults a free.

In League with business

In addition to jazz, El Golfo has showcased blues, country, rock blues, and now a latin dance night on Fridays, "Danza Latina," an idea Villatoro credits to the Long Branch Business League. Over the years, Villatoro's worn numerous hats for the League, serving as president previously, and currently as vice president. In March, along with other League leadership, she received a 2014 Impact Silver Spring Momentum Award for "creating social, economic, and civic momentum.".

Another El Golfo?

Looking to the future, Villatoro hopes for continued success, and possibly a second El Golfo. Embracing the community was the key factor in surviving the bad economy, she said., "It feels good when people come to El Golfo to host their events, and it's also part of the business," she said. "When we give, we get back.".

Family Tradition

Owner Ada Villatoro grew up on an El Salvadorian farm where her parents taught their 11 children the importance of service to others. They shared the family farmland with those in need, providing access to fresh vegetables and other foods. "My mother would always give the best of what she had to people," Villatoro said. "If she had something that was not good, she would not give it away." That spirit of giving stayed with Villatoro when she moved to the United States in 1985.